Centerpieces!!

Happy Monday, Everyone!

I just returned from Zumba and am definitely feeling the intensity of the pilates/yoga class I attended last night!!  Also, I have indulged in some delicious homemade salsa from a darling eatery close by.  This salsa has the most wonderful flavor combinations.  I could just devour an entire bowl, I am sure!

Well, it seems that I have food on the brain, so I thought I would recount the rest of my Orlando experience, taking time to mention the meals!  Each meal at Convention was quite the event.  Mmmmm...that food was good!  The Ritz really knows how to put together a menu. 

One of the most unusual desserts we had while there was layered in a ramiken and almost tasted like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  I wish I could have seen a menu to tell you all what the dessert was called because surely something that inventive must have a rather unique name!  I tried to discern the ingredient combinations used to create this confectionary delight, so here is my best guess: I think there was some sort of pound cake in the bottom, a layer of raspberry compote or preserves next, and then there was a delightful mousse in the flavor of -- you guessed it!-- peanut butter.  Now, I personally am a fan of the PB & J, so I enjoyed this decadent dessert immensely.  However, for those who are not quite so enamored with these flavors, it may not be quite your cup of tea.  Even though I love PB and had been told that these were the flavors involved, I couldn't quite understand what it would taste like until I tried it.  I think this dessert could be so fun at a themed party.  I'll work on perfecting the recipe.  Milk would be the perfect complement, I believe.

I also enjoyed the lovely table arrangements at the meals.  Here are a few of my favorites:

It is no mistake that this picture also shows off the bread basket! 

Those rolls were quite yummy! :)

Now here is a closer picture of the centerpiece. 

Aren't the stars fully of whimsy? 

After all, we were in the Magical Land of Walt Disney himself!

Now, I think this little arrangement is delightful and so cute with the lemons anchoring the carnations. 

I might have to try this one myself!

My time at convention was very busy with lots of meetings and conversations, but I learned so much and the company was delightful!!  Meeting people from all over the United States was such fun. 

I also got to reconnect with two friends from my pledge class.  We had such fun catching up over dinner and I got to meet precious M, T's baby boy.  :)  Thanks, T & S for such a sweet visit!!

Another wonderful moment was meeting a lady who knew my great-aunt and uncle.  They both passed away relatively recently, so it was such a treasure to connect with someone else who knew these precious people. 

Don't you just love it when things like that happen? 

God is so gracious to us.

Well, friends, our next trip will be to San Francisco.  I almost left my heart there, but not quite! :)

Hope you all have a blessed Tuesday!!

Centerpieces!!

Happy Monday, Everyone!

I just returned from Zumba and am definitely feeling the intensity of the pilates/yoga class I attended last night!!  Also, I have indulged in some delicious homemade salsa from a darling eatery close by.  This salsa has the most wonderful flavor combinations.  I could just devour an entire bowl, I am sure!

Well, it seems that I have food on the brain, so I thought I would recount the rest of my Orlando experience, taking time to mention the meals!  Each meal at Convention was quite the event.  Mmmmm...that food was good!  The Ritz really knows how to put together a menu. 

One of the most unusual desserts we had while there was layered in a ramiken and almost tasted like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  I wish I could have seen a menu to tell you all what the dessert was called because surely something that inventive must have a rather unique name!  I tried to discern the ingredient combinations used to create this confectionary delight, so here is my best guess: I think there was some sort of pound cake in the bottom, a layer of raspberry compote or preserves next, and then there was a delightful mousse in the flavor of -- you guessed it!-- peanut butter.  Now, I personally am a fan of the PB & J, so I enjoyed this decadent dessert immensely.  However, for those who are not quite so enamored with these flavors, it may not be quite your cup of tea.  Even though I love PB and had been told that these were the flavors involved, I couldn't quite understand what it would taste like until I tried it.  I think this dessert could be so fun at a themed party.  I'll work on perfecting the recipe.  Milk would be the perfect complement, I believe.

I also enjoyed the lovely table arrangements at the meals.  Here are a few of my favorites:

It is no mistake that this picture also shows off the bread basket! 

Those rolls were quite yummy! :)

Now here is a closer picture of the centerpiece. 

Aren't the stars fully of whimsy? 

After all, we were in the Magical Land of Walt Disney himself!

Now, I think this little arrangement is delightful and so cute with the lemons anchoring the carnations. 

I might have to try this one myself!

My time at convention was very busy with lots of meetings and conversations, but I learned so much and the company was delightful!!  Meeting people from all over the United States was such fun. 

I also got to reconnect with two friends from my pledge class.  We had such fun catching up over dinner and I got to meet precious M, T's baby boy.  :)  Thanks, T & S for such a sweet visit!!

Another wonderful moment was meeting a lady who knew my great-aunt and uncle.  They both passed away relatively recently, so it was such a treasure to connect with someone else who knew these precious people. 

Don't you just love it when things like that happen? 

God is so gracious to us.

Well, friends, our next trip will be to San Francisco.  I almost left my heart there, but not quite! :)

Hope you all have a blessed Tuesday!!

Puttin' on the Ritz

My sorority's national convention was held in the beautiful city of Orlando at the Grande Lakes Resort.  After a morning flight out of DFW, we arrived at the hotel in the early afternoon.  Look at how darling the hotel room was!!

And look at the cute little reading lamp attached to the headboard!

After getting settled in and relatively unpacked, my sweet friend, A, and I decided that afternoon tea at the Ritz would be just the perfect way to unwind from our travels and prepare ourselves for the evening's festivities. 

We indulged in a delicious chocolate tea.  I had never had a chocolate flavored tea before, but it was truly decadent!

I had to take a picture of the sugar cubes because they were so cute!!

Look at our delectable feast of sandwiches, desserts, and scones.  I wish I could remember all of the types of sandwiches, but I assure you, they were all delicious.  The scones were currant, I believe, and just melted in your mouth.  Perfect companions for the delicious tea!

I don't believe I have ever had a dessert before with a silver leaf on it!

And yes, here is my dessert plate with a little bite taken out of each one.  Clockwise from the top left are an eclair, something delicious, delectable carrot cake, key lime tart, and a yummy chocolate dessert.  I can't remember exactly what the top right dessert was, but I just remember it being delicious!!  I think my favorite might have been the carrot cake.  That cream cheese icing was wonderful!

I'll be back soon with more updates from my trip. 

After all this tea talk, I might just need to put the kettle on!

Hope you have a delightful Saturday!

Puttin' on the Ritz

My sorority's national convention was held in the beautiful city of Orlando at the Grande Lakes Resort.  After a morning flight out of DFW, we arrived at the hotel in the early afternoon.  Look at how darling the hotel room was!!

And look at the cute little reading lamp attached to the headboard!

After getting settled in and relatively unpacked, my sweet friend, A, and I decided that afternoon tea at the Ritz would be just the perfect way to unwind from our travels and prepare ourselves for the evening's festivities. 

We indulged in a delicious chocolate tea.  I had never had a chocolate flavored tea before, but it was truly decadent!

I had to take a picture of the sugar cubes because they were so cute!!

Look at our delectable feast of sandwiches, desserts, and scones.  I wish I could remember all of the types of sandwiches, but I assure you, they were all delicious.  The scones were currant, I believe, and just melted in your mouth.  Perfect companions for the delicious tea!

I don't believe I have ever had a dessert before with a silver leaf on it!

And yes, here is my dessert plate with a little bite taken out of each one.  Clockwise from the top left are an eclair, something delicious, delectable carrot cake, key lime tart, and a yummy chocolate dessert.  I can't remember exactly what the top right dessert was, but I just remember it being delicious!!  I think my favorite might have been the carrot cake.  That cream cheese icing was wonderful!

I'll be back soon with more updates from my trip. 

After all this tea talk, I might just need to put the kettle on!

Hope you have a delightful Saturday!

I'm Back!!

Sorry for the brief hiatus, but I have many adventures to share!!  Over the past few weeks I've visited Orlando and San Francisco, had new furniture updates, and started a summer class.  It's been busy, but oh so fun.  I'm hoping to blog lots over the next few days.  I have so many fun pictures!  Tonight, I'll leave you with a glimpse of Muir Woods, a redwood forest close to San Francisco.  It was an awe inspiring experience to be completely encased in nature.  I hope this picture conveys a bit of the wonder with the sun streaming through the canopy of trees, dappling the leaves with light. 

Hope you all have a wonderful Friday!! 

I'm Back!!

Sorry for the brief hiatus, but I have many adventures to share!!  Over the past few weeks I've visited Orlando and San Francisco, had new furniture updates, and started a summer class.  It's been busy, but oh so fun.  I'm hoping to blog lots over the next few days.  I have so many fun pictures!  Tonight, I'll leave you with a glimpse of Muir Woods, a redwood forest close to San Francisco.  It was an awe inspiring experience to be completely encased in nature.  I hope this picture conveys a bit of the wonder with the sun streaming through the canopy of trees, dappling the leaves with light. 

Hope you all have a wonderful Friday!!